Out-of-state sex workers expected to be in Albuquerque for state fair

Pastor runs outreach program to help sex workers

The state fair is weeks away, and police are expecting a wave of out of state prostitutes to be attending along with families and tourists. What authorities are planning to do about this.

Out-of-state sex workers expected to be in Albuquerque for state fair

Pastor runs outreach program to help sex workers

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 11:01 PM MDT Aug 3, 2013

ALBUQUERQUE —

A chain wraps around the gates to the Expo Fairgrounds. But on September 11th, that chain will be gone. It will be day 1 of the New Mexico State Fair.

Authorities, as well as outreach pastor Shelley Repp, are expecting out-of-state sex workers to come to Albuquerque in search of new clientele.

"It its not just something that you think is happening, itis happening," said Repp, who is the leader of a non-profit, Spoken For.

Advertisement

When it's time for the state fair and the International Balloon Fiesta, Repp and her team of volunteers hit the streets to reach out to prostitutes.

"It takes many interactions with them for them to understand their trust with us," said Repp, who believes that these sex workers are not only coming from our bordering states, but states as far as Nevada, Utah, and California.

"When you see what's happening in the hotels, its almost all out of town girls. There's just a lot more that are brought in and so they are being trafficked out of hotels," said Repp.

Repp works to connect the women with social services like temporary housing.

Her message to these women is, "There's hope for your situation. You're an important person and there's a future for you," said Repp.